Geocaching 101: Making Connections to Your Curriculum
1. Geocaching 101:
Making
Connections to
Your
Curriculum
Conni Mulligan
NC DEN LC
connimulligan@gmail.com
2. Background
GPS
(Global Positioning System)
“Space-based radio navigation system
consisting of 24 satellites orbiting the Earth that
transmit a signal to users, allowing them to
determine their precise location on the surface
of the Earth.”
–USAF, Lt. Col. Roger Hunter
3. Background
GPS in the Classroom
• The Global Positioning System
(GPS): A Technology of Extensive
Use. Discovery Channel School
(2001). Retrieved May
25, 2009, from Discovery
Education:
http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
• GPS: Global Positioning System.
Discovery Channel School
(2002). Retrieved May
25, 2009, from Discovery
5. Background
-Site-Based Receivers in the Classroom
• Many Uses of Satellites. Discovery Channel School
(2003). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from Discovery
Education: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/
6. Background
• Geocaching – an outdoor scavenger/treasure
hunting game where you use GPS technology
to pinpoint the location of an item(s)
– Traditional Cache
– Multi-Cache
– Mystery/Puzzle Cache
– Letterbox
– Virtual
http://www.geocaching.com/about/cache_types.aspx
8. Background
Geocaching in the Classroom
Google Earth & GPS Classroom Activities, Visions Technology
Intermediate U.S. History/Geography: Grades 5-8
Intermediate Science: Grades 5-8
9. Classroom Activities
Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6
1. A form was
created to record
coordinates
outside for the
locations of 6
stations based on
the Big6 Skills.
10. Classroom Activities
Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6
2. A booklet
template was
created
that would be
used by groups.
3. The template
was used to
input coordinates
into the book –
no two booklets
were identical.
11. Classroom Activities
Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6
4. Labels were created for each Big6 step.
5. The labels were placed into film canisters
– six of #1 in one film canister
– six of #2 in one film canister and so on.
12. Classroom Activities
Introductory Activity for Teachers Using Big6
6. Teachers used GPS devices to
go to each location where they
would find the film canisters.
7. Teachers would place the
stickers into the booklet
according to the BIG 6 Step
used in the scenario.
14. Classroom Activities
10 Apples Up On Top!
-Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg
Dr. Seuss’ Birthday Celebration
Media/PE Integration
•The teacher created stations based on the
events from the book.
•Teacher found coordinates outside for
each station and created cards.
•Students used GPS devices to go to preset
stations where they performed the tasks.
15. Classroom Activities
History Mysteries
Using Primary Source Information
Media/History
•Teacher recorded coordinates outside for
multiple stations.
•Teacher created cards for groups of students.
•Students used GPS devices to go to preset
coordinates where they found picture cards or
newspaper articles of some event in history.
•Students gathered all of the items and then tried
to discover what the items had in common.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
23. Online Educational Resources
• Educaching - A GPS Based Curriculum for Teachers -
http://educaching.com/
• Geocacher University - http://www.geocacher-u.com/
• Geocachers’ Creed - http://geocreed.info/index.html
• Geocaching – The official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site -
http://www.geocaching.com/
• geocoder.us / geocoder.net - find the latitude & longitude of
any US address - for free - http://geocoder.us/
• GPS Adventures - http://gpsmaze.com/teachers.html
• Juicy Geography -
http://www.juicygeography.co.uk/gpsschool.htm
Satellites send latitude, longitude and altitude signals to site based receivers – at least three receivers need to hit the device – more is betterThis video is very good giving a detailed background of how GPS works and is used in various formsMilitaryAir TravelWaterPedestrian - Hiking
This video has some of the same info as the previous two but goes into more detail about how satellite technology is used in the world.
6 groups were decided upon based on the amount of teachers and time to find coordinates.
6 groups were decided upon based on the amount of teachers and time to find coordinates.
6 groups were decided upon based on the amount of teachers and time to find coordinates.
This activity was completed with older Elementary students but could also be used with the team concept of an older and younger student working together.
All of these presidents were assassinated: Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, James Garfield and William McKinley